Heat Haze Is Unhappy

(Sun Yao)

"I'm back~"

Lin Xi bounced back from outside the door, and if she hadn't been wearing a tight skirt that made it difficult to move, she might have even wanted to dance a bit like Swan Lake.

"Oh, you've already started eating? Perfect, I've also found out some things here, so let's eat while you listen to my conclusions."

Heat Haze ate in silence, while I nodded.

The aunt continued, "The additional tests for Heat Haze are indeed suspicious; there are two main points of suspicion so far!"

She was very excited.

After all, Aunt Lin Xi's job is to investigate such "irrationalities".

"First of all, these inspection items were requested by Chairman Sun Ji... that is, A-Yao's father, but it is not clear whether it was actually his own idea. All we know is that it was Secretary-General Anjie who conveyed the request."

If it's Miss Anjie's request, then it must be my father's idea; that secretary is completely obedient to my father.

"The Association president, who never interferes in internal affairs, suddenly needs the medical data of a magical girl. This is quite strange. If no one forged identification, then your father might have some issues."

I don't know how to respond to that. I know too little about my father's situation, so I can't offer any opinions.

"This is indeed a suspicious point."

Heat Haze glanced at me and pressed, "What about the second point of doubt?"

"Previous examinations have also collected data on the Star Crystal within your body multiple times."

Heat Haze frowned at his aunt's words.

"My Star Crystal?"

"That's right, they're investigating your Star Crystal, which isn't helping your recovery at all, but that's not the second point of suspicion I want to make."

"Specifically..."

"The problem is that the people responsible for your examination are all from a third-party research institution. Normally, people from such external institutions are prohibited from entering here, but this time A-Yao's dad gave them the green light."

"Dad allowed outsiders into the Association's affiliated treatment facilities?"

Auntie crossed her arms and laughed, "While it can't be called dereliction of duty, it's still against common sense... I just wanted to see what kind of girl A-Yao liked, but I didn't expect to dig up such an incredible clue."

Is there any danger associated with Heat Haze)?

Auntie shook her head.

"Without understanding the whole story, no one can say for sure. However, she's still at a treatment facility under the Association's name, so she shouldn't be in any danger. I'll investigate this matter. As for your father... let's not alert him yet."

"Thank you for your help."

"Hmph! I never thought I'd catch the Association chairman red-handed. I'm so excited!"

A flame ignited in her aunt's eyes, and she added, "Xiao Heat Haze, if those people come to examine you again, call me before they start, and stall for time so I can follow up with them afterwards."

Heat Haze nodded honestly.

If everything her aunt said was true, then this matter concerned her own safety, and she dared not be careless.

"So what can I do now?" I asked.

"There's nothing I need you to do, A-Yao. Just visiting her more often is better than anything else."

Heat Haze hurriedly said, "Hmph, who wants her to come see me!"

"Little Heat Haze must be lonely, right? No one's family can come in, and you're lying in bed all day. I've seen the visitation records, you know? Only that liaison officer named Yin Lu will visit you these days, and you might have to stay in bed for another two weeks..."

Aunt Lin Xi made Heat Haze sound rather pitiful, but the latter still stubbornly insisted, "It's not that I don't have friends, it's just that they're all in Skyreach City..."

The haughty Miss Fire Turkey lowered her head.

"Never mind, it'll be good for you to come and keep me company."

I quickly replied, "Yes! I come every day!"

"... No, it doesn't need to go that far."

Seemingly satisfied with the result, Aunt Lin Xi stretched.

"I should probably go upstairs now, otherwise Old Yezi will start nagging me. A-Yao, you can stay here a little longer, we'll take you home this afternoon."

"Okay, sure."

"Ciao~"

Aunt Lin Xi has passed away.

The quiet ward was now empty except for me and Ms. Heat Haze. She had finished her curry rice, so I put the insulated lunchbox away.

"Ceruno, what does your father want to do by examining my Star Crystal? Don't you have any clue?"

I knew I'd be asked that question.

"... I went to see him yesterday with Miss SpiCa, hoping to persuade him to support Miss SpiCa's plan, but I was unsuccessful."

"Look at you, so pathetic, you probably can't even speak up for yourself in front of your father."

"... I probably know less about him than Miss SpiCa does."

Heat Haze rolled her eyes at me.

"Come sit here."

She pointed to the chair beside the bed.

"Come closer so I can vent my anger."

I obediently did as she said, sat down on the edge of the bed, and then leaned my face Past. She reached out her right hand and pinched my cheek with a lot of force, which hurt a little.

They're using me as a stress-relieving toy.

But I owe her my life, so even if I can tolerate this, I have to.

She rubbed a layer of foundation off my face, and she seemed extremely surprised and delighted.

"Hey? You can do makeup now! You've improved a lot lately, you're becoming more like a girl!"

"Thanks..."

Is becoming more feminine a compliment?

"Not bad, not bad, you're teachable. So, are you still planning to change back?"

"Um..."

When I nodded, she became unhappy again.

I had this feeling before: Heat Haze really liked me as "Ceruno" and even hoped that I would stay like this forever.

Although, according to my aunt, it wasn't impossible, but...

I whispered my confession, "Actually, someone said they like me. She said she would wait for the day I turn back into my male self before confessing to me."

"Huh? Confessing my feelings to you?"

Heat Haze stared in astonishment, then burst into a tirade. "Who's so blind as to turn down such a beautiful, big-breasted girl and choose a fat otaku instead?"

My only movable right hand was still pulling at my face, preventing me from speaking.

"No way! Take me to see her after I'm discharged from the hospital! Girls can be together too! There are still girls with such stubborn ideas these days!"

Heat Haze's irritability confirmed my suspicions.

Shocking! The renowned demolition expert, street destroyer, and enraged Flame Princess of Skyreach City... is actually a true yuri (lesbian)?

No wonder she was so tolerant of me, Ceruno. Even after I revealed my identity, she didn't show any obvious disgust, only occasionally uttering a few curses.

Snap--

She let go, and her bouncy cheeks taut against my face.

I covered my slightly swollen face and replied, "Actually, she's a magical girl too."

Let's not tell Heat Haze yet, it's Miluno who's waiting for me...

"... Miluno?"

How could they have guessed it so easily?!

I hurriedly denied it.

No, no!

"Come on, do you think I don't know how many magical girls you know?"

They've been exposed.